Edge mapping using panchromatic pixels

Abstract

A method of enhancing a full-color image of a scene includes capturing an image of the scene using a two-dimensional sensor array having both color and panchromatic pixels, forming the full-color image in response to the captured color pixels, forming a reference panchromatic image in response to the captured panchromatic pixels, forming an edge map in response to the reference panchromatic image and using the edge map to enhance the full-color image.

1. A method of providing an enhanced full-color image of a scene, comprising using a processor (or computer) to perform the steps of:
 a. using a captured image of the scene that was captured by a two-dimensional sensor array having both color pixels corresponding to at least three color photoresponses and panchromatic pixels; 
 b. forming the full-color image in response to the captured color pixels; 
 c. forming a reference panchromatic image in response to the captured panchromatic pixels; 
 d. forming an edge map in response to the reference panchromatic image; and 
 e. using the edge map to enhance the full-color image. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1  wherein element b includes using both the captured color pixels and the captured panchromatic pixels to form the full color image. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2  further using the reference panchromatic image to form the full color image. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1  wherein element c includes using both the captured color pixels and the captured panchromatic pixels to form the reference panchromatic image. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the edge map is used to provide noise cleaning. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the edge map is used to provide color correction.